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ASSIMILATION OF 15 NH4 + BY BEECH (FAGUS SYLVATICA L.) ECTOMYCORRHIZAS.

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Ammonia assimilation in beech ectomycorrhizas primarily uses the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase pathway. This process rapidly synthesizes amino acids, with glutamine being key for nitrogen incorporation in these symbiotic roots.

Keywords:
Fagus sylvaticaGlutamine synthetaseectomycorrhizasglutamate dehydrogenaseglutamate synthase

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Area of Science:

  • Plant Biology
  • Mycology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ectomycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with tree roots, facilitating nutrient uptake.
  • Ammonia assimilation is a critical process for nitrogen utilization in plants and fungi.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the primary pathway of ammonia assimilation in ectomycorrhizal roots of Fagus sylvatica.
  • To elucidate the roles of specific enzymes in nitrogen metabolism within this symbiosis.

Main Methods:

  • Tracking 15N-labeled ammonium uptake and incorporation in mycorrhizal tissues.
  • Utilizing Nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
  • Employing enzyme inhibitors (methionine sulphoximine and albizine) to probe metabolic pathways.

Main Results:

  • Rapid synthesis of amino acids, particularly glutamine, following ammonium ion absorption.
  • Glutamate, glutamine, and alanine were the most labeled metabolites with 15N-ammonium.
  • Inhibitors of glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase blocked 15N incorporation and caused ammonium accumulation, implicating this pathway.

Conclusions:

  • Ammonia assimilation in beech ectomycorrhizas predominantly occurs via the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase pathway.
  • Glutamate dehydrogenase appears to play a minor role in this specific nitrogen assimilation process.
  • The study provides insights into nitrogen metabolism within the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis.